Pupils pack shoeboxes to help hurricane victims

The school raised funds and collected donations to cover shipping costs

Pupils have been packing shoeboxes with toys and gifts to send to Jamaica to help people who are rebuilding their lives after Hurricane Melissa.

Students at West Coventry Academy have turned the library into a hive of activity as they work to pack up to 80 shoeboxes with gifts ranging from teddy bears to cuddly tigers to send overseas.

One pupil, Grace, said: "They've got not only necessities but also things to just make them feel a bit better within themselves mentally.

"With all of the scary stuff around them it must be a really lovely thing for them to receive."

Hurricane Melissa struck last month killing at least 19 people in Jamaica and at least 30 in Haiti.

One of the most powerful hurricanes to strike the Caribbean, it flattened communities and left people trying to salvage damaged homes and belongings from flood water and mud, with electricity supplies down and food scarce.

Year 13 student Grace is one of the pupils helping youngsters in Jamaica

All the toys and gifts being sent from the school have been donated by supporters of the project.

The school also raised £400 from fundraising and student donations to cover shipping costs, careers adviser Jo Kerr said.

One boy, Gabriel, said it showed that when people "put their minds together", they could do amazing things.

Gabriel, who was packing a shoebox for a boy aged between five or nine, added: "Hopefully they'll really enjoy it."

One of the boxes included a toy puppy, a swimming cap, a mug and some bracelets, with stationery, a flannel and hats and scarfs that were knitted by the community.

Olivia, who was packing it, said: "It's really good just to have a mixture of stuff in there - a bit of a variety to hopefully cheer up a child."